For millions of years or as long as men have gathered in groups to draft fantasy football teams, the running back has been the dominant selection. If you don’t share the philosophy then you’re at least familiar with the strategy of taking two running backs first to create a solid scoring foundation. The top overall draft picks are almost always elite RBs, and you most likely spend the majority of the football season sending out terrible trade offers with the hopes of acquiring another RB.

Essentially, RBs have almost always ruled the world. Too bad the jerkface coaches of the NFL are doing their best to destroy that philosophy, what with the ever-increasing trend of committees and scenarios. But does that mean that you can’t use a little strategy to make sure that you acquire an elite RB on draft day? Yes, actually, it does mean that. Unless you have a top 5 pick this year (depending on how your league rewards and favors QBs) you’re probably not going to get top tier production from your backfield.

But that doesn’t mean that you can’t at least have solid productivity while creating harmonious scoring across your roster. You just have to clear your mind, forget your fan allegiances, and for once in your life stop telling yourself that THIS is the season that Joseph Addai becomes a monster. Again, I will remind you that I am not professing to be a fantasy football expert, like the many people at the big boy sites who don’t know their asses from a hole opened by the Green Bay Packers offensive line. But I do have some opinions that could help you, and chances are they’re at least better than your moron friends who spend $10 on magazines each year.

Today’s topic is the running back, as we fight to protect the endangered species that is the featured back. And yes, I’m using more attractive females to make my arguments.

McGahee is gone, Heap is gone, and Mason might go too, and that means a lot more opportunity for him in the red zone. They brought in Vonta Leach, who’ll block mostly, and Rice apparently showed up for camp looking like a roided-out Webster.

08.03.11 at 4:10 pm

Upstate Underdog

I hate the Pats, but you know Danny Woodhead is going to get some touches. Not a bad guy to have in PPR leagues.

08.03.11 at 4:13 pm

Burnsy

I’m not saying I don’t hope Rice has a good year, I’m just saying that he’s not at the top of my list.

Also, Charles had almost 1,500 yards on 230 carries. Check out the other RBs that I put him ahead of.

08.03.11 at 4:31 pm

squabbler

4) Chris Johnson -He’s holding out for more money and he’s the only good part of Tennessee’s offense.

Hmmm…While Chris Johnson is the best part of the Titans offense, the OL is really, really good. It’s theorized by the talking heads that the OL is going to give Hasselbeck much better protection than he was getting in Seattle, and he will therefore by extrapolation be more productive. If the Titans get a really solid performance out of Hasselbeck, CJ is going to run wild. I think spot 3 or 4 on your list is perfect for CJ this year. He’s not going to hit 2K, but once his new deal gets signed (I’d hold out of training camp too…the temp hit 101 in Nashville today), I think he’ll be good for about 1,500.

08.03.11 at 5:02 pm

Danny

As good a fantasy list as anyone else can produce. Each season there are so many surprises it’s pretty much a crap shoot.

08.03.11 at 5:28 pm

Hee Moy

@squabbler

I bet Hasselbeck gets back spasms in week 2 from just dropping back. Regardless, the offense was only CJ last year and he still produced even with the defense keyed on him. No doubt he is top 5.

/TN fan and resident
//fuck its hot outside

08.03.11 at 6:50 pm

La Schmoove

No Kate Upton?! What the deuce!

08.03.11 at 7:10 pm

Burnsy

Offensive line is one thing, but no passing game is another. See: 2010 Tennessee Titans.

Also, I have to drop Charles from 3 now because the Chiefs signed LeRon McClain. Charles may get 1 touchdown this season.

08.03.11 at 7:13 pm

Otto Man

We signed The Ron? Woohoo!

08.03.11 at 8:00 pm

Brutus

I think Beef Moe is THE sleeper pick this year. A year in the system under his belt, no QB talent, the line should be better in Happy Carroll’s second year. They will pretty much have to run a shit ton.

08.04.11 at 1:04 am

Garipeto

Knowshon at #30? Just curious on your reasoning, considering he finished last year like 17th in points (non-ppr) despite missing 3 games early, and then only playing a few snaps the last 3 games from a rib injury, and this will only be his 3rd year

Could be, but I’m worried that team is going to be down three scores at halftime in every game and have to abandon the run.

Plus, I think every league has one guy who only remembers that run versus the Saints and reaches for him way too soon.

That said, if he’s there in the late third or fourth round, I’d grab him for sure. BEEF MOE.

08.04.11 at 9:52 am

poonTASTIC

unless Rashard has been hiding Osama for the past decade, I’d take him at 10-12 (if he’s there). He’ll be good for 1200+ yrds and most likely 12 TD’s. Either that, or he’ll pull a Billy Cole move during first rain game. ‘ain’t life a bitch?’

08.04.11 at 11:13 am

John

What I got from this is that you overrate Mila Kunis (seriously, she’s a communist dwarf, look it up) and underrate Alison Brie.

08.04.11 at 11:48 am

FSJ

Oof on the LeSean being #2 anymore…

08.04.11 at 2:43 pm

poonTASTIC

John don’t you dare talk about my Mila that way. She shits skittles and her menstrual cycle tastes of the sweeties strawberries.

08.05.11 at 11:37 am

Moose (The Thread Ender)

It’s just that the skittles come out VERY fast, like bullets.

08.05.11 at 1:44 pm

Jamaal Charles's Stolen TDs

I with John. Nothing against Mila but Alison Brie is what dreams are made of. What I’m trying to say is that while I’m drafting Blount and Rice as my RBs I will be flapping to Annie in my mind now. My draft party could be awkward. (more so than usual, that is)